Vancouver, BC | Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (“Sandstorm Gold Royalties”, “Sandstorm” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SAND, TSX: SSL) is pleased to provide various developments within its diversified stream and royalty portfolio (dollar figures in USD unless otherwise indicated).
Robertson Receives Approval of Key Environmental Permit
On November 15th, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management filed a positive Record of Decision for the Robertson mine, following publication of the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) and public review period. The Record of Decision is the last major Federal permit under the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (“NEPA”). Robertson is owned by Nevada Gold Mines (“NGM”), a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Corporation, and is located at the north end of Nevada’s Cortez District. The project is less than 10 kilometres east of the Pipeline and Cortez Mine Complex, a well-known mining district that hosts NGM gold production from the operating Pipeline, Cortez, and Goldrush mines. Robertson is planned as an open-pit, heap leach operation that will utilize certain infrastructure and facilities at the Pipeline and Cortez Mine Complex. NGM most recently estimated first production at Robertson in 2027, subject to permitting, and feasibility work remains ongoing. For more information about the Robertson mine visit www.barrick.com. For information regarding the Record of Decision, visit the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s website at www.blm.gov and refer to the press release dated November 20, 2024.
Sandstorm has a 1.0%–2.25% sliding scale net smelter returns (“NSR”) royalty on the Robertson project. At current gold prices, Sandstorm expects the upper-end of the sliding scale would apply to its royalty.
Hod Maden Site Preparation Continues
SSR Mining Inc. (“SSR Mining”) reports that engineering studies and site preparation activities continue at its Hod Maden project in Türkiye, as the company continues to advance the project through to a construction decision. In the third quarter of 2024, approximately $10.9 million was spent at Hod Maden. SSR Mining will provide guidance on the expected 2025 capital spend at Hod Maden with its annual 2025 guidance. For more information, visit www.ssrmining.com and refer to the press release dated November 6, 2024.
Sandstorm holds a 2.0% NSR royalty and a 20% gold stream on the Hod Maden project. Under the terms of the Hod Maden gold stream, Sandstorm has agreed to purchase 20% of all gold produced from Hod Maden (on a 100% basis) for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 50% of the spot price of gold until 405,000 ounces of gold are delivered. Sandstorm will then receive 12% of the gold produced for the life of the mine for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 60% of the spot price of gold.
Underground Development Commences at Hugo North Extension; Additional High-Grade Intercepts Released
Entrée Resources Ltd. (“Entrée”) announced the commencement of underground development work at Oyu Tolgoi Lift 1 Panel 1 on the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture property in November. This initial phase involves up to 212 metres of lateral development in the southwest corner of the Hugo North Extension (“HNE”), as outlined in the 2024 Oyu Tolgoi Mine Plan, intended to support the development of mine infrastructure. Entrée continues to advance discussions with Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi LLC (“OTLLC”) to finalize either (i) the execution and delivery of the existing JV agreement between the parties or, (ii) conversion to an alternative agreement of equivalent economic value to govern their relationship during the development and mining stages of the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture property. Entrée, Rio Tinto and OTLLC have identified a potential pathway forward, with corresponding definitive agreements subject to the approval of the entire OTLLC board.
Entrée also released additional results from the 2023 drilling program at HNE, which includes both infill and extension holes from surface and underground. In addition to confirming long, high-grade intervals within the existing Hugo North Lift 2 block cave footprint, drill hole EGD 174 was terminated in mineralization at a depth of 1,800 metres, highlighting that the deposit remains open at depth with continuity for deeper potential lifts at Oyu Tolgoi. At depths, the Hugo North deposit dips to the northwest with an increasing proportion located on the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture ground. Underground geotechnical holes UGD 807A, UGD 807B, and UGD 808 confirmed continuity of mineralization outside the potential Hugo North Lift 2 footprint.
Highlights from the surface drill results include:
EGD 174: 448 metres grading 1.31% copper, including:
172 metres grading 1.58% copper.
EGD 1771: 143 metres grading 1.09% copper, including:
51 metres grading 1.75% copper.
Highlights from the underground drill results include:
UGD 805B: 177.3 metres grading 1.79% copper.
UGD 808: 613.6 metres grading 0.69% copper, including:
214 metres grading 1.04% copper.
UGD 813: 56 metres grading 1.45% copper.
UGD 814: 138 metres grading 1.92% copper.
During 2024, drilling has continued at HNE with all holes targeting the potential Lift 2 mineralized footprint. As of October 31, 2024, OTLLC had advised Entrée that approximately 5,287 metres of underground drilling in 23 diamond drill holes and 2,476 metres of surface drilling in four diamond drill holes had been completed. Entrée will report on the drill results once they have been received and reviewed.
For more information, including full details of the drill results, visit www.entreeresourcesltd.com and refer to the press releases dated October 29 and November 4, 2024. Sandstorm has a copper and precious metal stream with Entrée on the HNE whereby the Company has the right to purchase 0.42% of the copper, 5.62% of gold, and 4.26% of silver produced for ongoing cash payments of $0.50 per pound of copper, $220 per ounce of gold, and $5 per ounce of silver.
Equinox Gold to Restart Mining at Aurizona Piaba Pit; Expansion Plans Ongoing
Equinox Gold Corp. (“Equinox Gold”) expects to resume mining at its Aurizona Piaba pit in the fourth quarter of 2024, following remediation from a geotechnical event caused by persistent heavy rains earlier in the year. Mining has been paused at Piaba since March 2024, while ore feed at Aurizona has relied on existing stockpiles and mining from the Tatajuba open pit. A revised mine plan incorporating the Tatajuba, Boa Esperança, and Piaba pits has been prepared, and Equinox Gold has concluded that the geotechnical event does not have a significant negative impact on the long-term economic performance of Aurizona.
Despite weather challenges, exploration activities in 2024 have included over 6,500 metres of regional drilling at Aurizona, focused on high potential targets. In the first nine months of 2024, nearly 3,500 metres of drilling has focused on resource delineation of the western extension of the Tatajuba deposit.
Expansion plans at Aurizona aim to extend the mine life beyond 10 years and increase annual gold production through the development of an underground mine that would operate concurrently with the open pits. Engineering studies for the underground mine beneath the Piaba pit are ongoing, with efforts focused on refining ventilation systems, access layouts, and ore extraction plans. Construction of a portal and underground decline is expected to begin in 2025, enabling underground drilling and bulk sampling and ultimately supporting production operations.
For more information, visit www.equinoxgold.com and refer to the company’s 2024 third quarter Management Discussion & Analysis. Sandstorm has a sliding scale NSR royalty on the Aurizona mine, including the Piaba, Tatajuba, and Boa Esperança pits. When gold prices are above $2,000 per ounce, Sandstorm’s royalty is a 5% NSR.
Chapada Optimization Plan Improves Project Cash Flows
Following optimization efforts at Lundin Mining Corporation’s (“Lundin Mining”) Chapada mine in Brazil, mining costs have decreased by 46% compared to 2022. In addition to improved haulage cycle times, fleet availability, and blasting fragmentation, the stockpile feed levels were also optimized. A redesigned mining plan was implemented with a lower annual stripping requirement, reducing annual mining rates by 30 million tonnes.
These changes are expected to streamline operations while maintaining output, further improving free cash flow generated from the mine. Lundin Mining is concluding a scoping study on the Sauva deposit, and an updated technical report for the Chapada mine is expected to be filed in 2025.
For more information, visit www.lundinmining.com and refer to Lundin Mining’s conference call held on November 7, 2024, discussing the company’s 2024 third quarter financial results. Sandstorm holds a copper stream on the Chapada mine, whereby Sandstorm has agreed to purchased, for ongoing per pound cash payments equal to 30% of the spot price of copper, 4.2% of the copper produced up to maximum of 3.9 million pounds (“Mlbs”) annually until 39 Mlbs are delivered, then 3.0% of the copper until 50 Mlbs are delivered; then 1.5% of the copper for the life of mine.
Updated PEA for High-Grade Coringa Gold Project
Serabi Gold plc (“Serabi”) has published an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Coringa gold project in Brazil, highlighting significant improvements compared to the 2019 study. Annual production is estimated at 28 thousand ounces (“koz”) in 2025 then averaging 36 koz per year between 2026 and 2031 with an 11-year mine life until 2034. The updated PEA reflects an updated Mineral Resource Inventory at Coringa that includes Measured & Indicated Resources of 795 thousand tonnes (“kt”) at 7.03 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold containing 179 koz gold and Inferred Resources are 1.45 million tonnes (“Mt”) at 5.81 g/t gold containing 271 koz gold. The mine plan utilizes 81% of the total Measured & Indicated Resource inventory and 89% of Inferred Resources (3.16 g/t cut-off). The Coringa project has been in production since July 2022 as an underground operation using open stoping mining methods. Processing of Coringa ore is undertaken at Serabi’s Palito Complex, utilizing existing process plant capacity.
For more information, visit www.serabigold.com and refer to the press release dated October 21, 2024. Sandstorm holds a 2.5% NSR royalty on the Coringa project.
Notes
Drill hole EGD177 is the upper portion of “daughter” drill hole EGD177A, which was previously reported by Entrée Resources Ltd. on July 18, 2024.
QUALIFIED PERSON
Imola Götz (M.Sc., P.Eng, F.E.C.), Sandstorm’s Vice President, Mining & Engineering is a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Götz has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.
Contact Information
For more information about Sandstorm Gold Royalties, please visit our website at www.sandstormgold.com or email us at info@sandstormgold.com.
Nolan Watson
President & CEO
604 689 0234
Mark Klausen
Corporate Communications
604 628 1164
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